‘It’s a great loss for BIAL’

‘It’s a great loss for BIAL’
Question of the week
What message do you draw from Narayana Murthy’s resignation from the BIAL? What are your views on private participation in public projects?
The Times of India

The resignation is no loss for NRN but it’s a great loss to BIAL for losing an efficient person. PPP is very essential for better implementation of projects.
Vimala Kesari, Vijaynagar, Bangalore

I believe it was Tagore who said — ‘The sun is exposed by its own light to criticism’. Murthy is the most brilliant star of Karnataka. He should not worry about criticism from selfseeking politicians. The public of Karnataka, especially Bangalore, need you, Mr Murthy. Please don’t get frustrated, carry on.
S Balasubrahmanyam, Dollars’ Colony, Bangalore

It’s a bolt from the blue. Now, BIAL is a body without its soul. It’s unfortunate that Gowda once again has thrown a spanner in the works. PPP is not a tried-and-trusted means but it’s the best bet in the present scenario. It may help control the ghostly hand behind the scene.
Jagadish Kalmath, Kengeri

Narayana Murthy’s resignation will have a demoralising effect on all the IT and other progressive companies in Bangalore. I will not be surprised if the companies go elsewhere. New projects planning to come to Bangalore will be wary of doing so. The after-effects can be cascading, starting with the crashing of real estate prices. PPP is a wonderful idea but politicians do not like it as they will not be free to squander allotted funds, and will be required to maintain fiscal discipline.
Thomas D’Mello, Kundapuram

Narayana Murthy has done the right thing at the right time. It’s because of him that Bangalore is now an international IT hub for young people, with a vision of taking the city to soaring heights. Deve Gowda is a snoring politician who wants Bangalore to go back to the time before Christ.
G N Pai, Rajajinagar, Bangalore

Narayana Murthy’s decision is correct. Deve Gowda has made remarks without checking the facts with Murthy. Private participation has become essential in the present-day scenario. The government is not able to completely meet huge infrastructure requirements brought on by the rapid expansion of IT and allied industries.
R V Vijaykumar, Banashankari, Bangalore

It is unfortunate that Narayana Murthy resigned. PPP is the only solution for quick implementation of major projects like the international airport. Murthy has been forced out of chairmanship of BIAL by politicians who don’t want to see any progress in these projects. Voters who elect these politicians are not air travellers. And air travellers do not vote. Obviously, major projects like these take a back seat for politicians. Narayana Murthy is not a politician. He cannot be eased out of public view like Siddaramaiah was done away with. This is a wrong move by Deve Gowda.
K Chandrashekar, Mysore

The government is of Karnataka, and not just Bangalore. It’s easy for private organisations to find fault but difficult to implement infrastructure improvements across the state. Hence, private organisations are duty bound to assist in public projects.
S Mahmood, Fraser Town, Bangalore

Murthy’s actions are totally just. Deve Gowda had better retire from politics and take up sanyas.
Mohammad Imran, Kammanhalli, Bangalore

Well-meaning citizens should think before getting involved in any project where third-rate politicians poke their noses. Deve Gowda will do the people of Karnataka a favour if he keeps his mouth shut for at least six months. PPP is a practical idea. Private enterprises are more efficient in implementing any project. The government should encourage more PPPs in Bangalore.
B S Joshi, Canara Bank Colony, Bangalore

The circumstances under which Murthy resigned is unfortunate. Everybody, including Murthy, knows that it is a thankless job. The CM should have intervened and avoided the situation. PPP is very much essential, especially in a city like Bangalore, as the government agencies cannot ensure qualitative work in any of the projects they undertake. This can be achieved only with the participation of private sector.
D Sekharan, recd via e-mail

Deve Gowda has no right to criticise Murthy who has done so much for Bangalore. Gowda’s behaviour is becoming intolerable. He is disrupting all projects. He justifies disrupting the Metro Rail Project by asking where will the funds come from. The government money, if it isn’t eaten away by corruption, will take care of all urgent projects. The country needs people like Narayana Murthy who are honest, sincere and hardworking and who are patriotic.
Sampath, recd via e-mail

I fully support NRN’s resignation. NRN is wonderful icon of India. I recommend Gowda as the next chairman of BIAL. Let’s see if he can survive just for one day in the hot seat. We just cannot do without private participation, and foreign technologies and FDIs in huge infrastructure projects. Why is China racing ahead in economic and social progress compared to India? It is high time the government encourages foreign and private participation in all key economic sectors to generate more employment and funds for the government. It requires guts and political will for the UPA government to go ahead with disinvestment and privatisation of all sick PSUs.
K S Krishnamurthy, recieved via email

CELEBSPEAK
Deve Gowda should be debarred from politics. He’s a liability to our country. He’s coming in the way of any kind of progress. Be it the Metro rail or the mono rail. He was the first person to object to the Devanahalli airport. It’s fine if private participation in public projects generates employment opportunities for people. The workers are most important; these projects should not just benefit the elite. In fact, the government should take a lead in this.
M S Sathyu, film-maker